A client who fought with her hair for over 20 years taught me my first lesson about what really meant to have thick hair. She looked defeated, as if her hair was something that happened to her instead of something she could work with. She told me she flat-ironed her hair every morning as she was sitting down. The ends looked tired from all that effort. We cut off about three inches from her, gave her some interior layers to help redistribute the weight, and after I blow dried her hair, she looked at herself as though she were meeting a complete stranger. I cut her hair and styled it, but it was a whole new moment for her. I think about that moment every time I get an over forty client who thick hair is too much.
Especially for a woman in her 40s, it’s one of the best things you can have. Other hair textures start to thin out and lose body, but thick hair keeps the volume and presence. Once a client learns to work with the density instead of against it, that’s when thick hair really becomes the whole point instead of the whole problem. Here are 15 styles that do just that.
#1: Polished Chestnut Layered Transformation
I frequently encounter the before image, the hair is thick and shapeless, perhaps a little frizzy, and is trying not to look like a hair ball. The after shows what purpose can do. The layers shown are designed to remove weight from the bottom, allowing the whole shape to lift and swing instead of sitting heavy. The chestnut color adds even more light reflection, which enhances the visibility of the layers and increases the movement. This is a cut that, on a lazy day, you could just air dry and still look like you put in effort, or you could blow it out smooth when you’re after a more polished look. Either way, it behaves.
#2 Rich Auburn Waves with Soft Layers
Auburn hair color can look very cool or very costume-y. It all depends on the tones that are used. This particular shade has the ideal amount of depth to appear natural. I would suggest this to someone who wants to feel different without looking different. I mean, the color really adds warmth to the skin that is super flattering. To keep auburn this rich, I have to say, you’re going to have to see your colorist pretty often. The color fades, and it fades very, very noticeably. The layers here are pretty subtle, just enough to keep the density from looking like one solid block of hair.
#3 Sleek Chestnut Bob with Straight Bangs
I love a bob with straight bangs. But I will tell you it is a commitment. Those bangs will need to be trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks and the bob itself will need regular shaping to maintain a clean line. If that is the case, I’ll have to spend a lot of time in the chair, which is completely fine. The chestnut color is warm, but not overly sweet, and the cut has a lovely French quality to it which reads as effortlessly chic. If you tend to cancel appointments, pick something else. This cut needs a lot of maintenance, and that is the reality.
#4 Golden Caramel Waves with Subtle Layers
The caramel tones here are gorgeous and help to create dimension in the hair without heavy balayage or chunky highlights. It gives a sun-kissed look instead of that just “got back from the salon” look. That’s a lot harder to achieve than it sounds. The layers are perfect because they give you enough weight to balance it out so that some waves and movement can really shine. One thing to keep in mind is that golden tones like this can get brassy really easily, especially with hard water, sun exposure, or just time. Because of the warmth in this tone, a purple shampoo would go the opposite of its intended purpose, but you shouldn’t go longer than 6-8 weeks for a gloss with your stylist to keep it looking intentional.
#5 Playful Espresso Tousled Bob
This style gives an effortless look — you could even say you just ran your fingers through your hair and left. But of course, that’s what it’s designed to look like. The espresso color is rich without being too flat, while the subtle layers create the kind of buoyancy that may be lacking in thicker hair types. The length is perfect for tucking behind the ears, or pinning back out of the face. The tousled look will need a texturizing spray to keep it from falling flat by the afternoon, but otherwise, it takes minimal effort to look good.
#6 Windswept Tawny Bob with Defined Waves
This piece shows some of the cleverest subtle color work. Blending darker shades into the tawny ends means you won’t see a harsh grow-out line at 4 weeks! That’s a very practical service a colorist can offer you. The slight asymmetry in the cut adds personality without being overly trendy and the wave texture keeps it from looking too polished. This is the sort of hairstyle that looks great in photos from any angle which might sound a bit silly, but if you get tagged in lots of group photos it’s definitely a bonus! Sea salt spray will help maintain the waves without it feeling crunchy.
#7 Deep Chocolate Cascading Waves
I like how soft this haircut is. With the look of the flowing waves, it’s less about being perfectly straight and more about having some slouch so the style doesn’t come off stiff or overdone. Deep chocolate is a classic color and universally flattering. It also adds depth to thick hair without being too heavy. The layers are really well placed to reduce bulk in the lower half and keep the fullness around the face. One thing I’ll say is that having defined waves on thick hair will take a good curling iron, or a really obedient natural texture so be realistic about what you’re working with when aiming for this.
#8 Chestnut-Brown Lob with Subtle Face-Framing Layers
I’ve recommended this haircut to many of my clients in their 40s with thick hair. It ticks all the boxes. It’s the ideal length to be pulled up and still short enough to have shape when worn down. Face framing layers are perfect; they don’t have those chunky 2005 layers. Just some wispy pieces around the cheekbones to soften the look. Chestnut brown is a great shade because it’s deep enough to be intentional without being too dark or too bright with high maintenance colors. This is the type of look/style that gets the compliments. People just say “You look great,” without explaining what actually changed, and that is one of the best compliments a hairstyle can get.
#9 Chic Chestnut Waves with Bangs
Bangs on thick hair can produce a variety of outcomes. While some bangs can appear adorable, they can also come off as a bit too much. Most likely these bangs will work because of the particular cut that allows the bangs to rest just above the eyebrows so that they don’t get too heavy. The rest of the layers help support the structure by removing weight from the waves that allows them to bounce instead of being pulled down. This is a hair style for people who love to change up their hair, in an ‘I like my routine’ way. If you prefer haircuts that don’t require styling or low maintenance ones, this style is probably not for you, and that is totally fine!
#10 Sunkissed-Beige Wavy Bob with Textured Fringe
I think the color on this one is really interesting. It is a beige-blonde that is warm but not golden. It has the effect of looking like you spent a couple weeks on vacation at the beach, even if you haven’t left your area. The textured fringe isn’t a full-on bang so it is more on the suggesting side, which means it grows out better and avoids that awkward length phase. This shade range works well if you have natural gray hair, because the lighter tones contrast nicely against highlighted and gray silvery hair. The color is a good option because it is low drama, but still feels nice.
#11 Vibrant Copper Layered Bob for Mature Skin Tones
I wish more women over 40 would think of trying copper hair because, depending on skin tone, it can have an almost magical effect. Hair that resembles the color of a freshly minted penny has a warm, light bouncy effect that is flattering and illuminates the face. I love to see that kind of light reflecting and optic magic from hair. This chin length style has soft layered dimensions, to which I find nice and structured. It does a great job of keeping its shape, while also being relaxed enough to not look uptight. Let’s not sugarcoat it, the fade of this color will be bold, and copper goes high-maintenance for sure. If you want to keep it this bright, get ready to have your hair toned regularly, and use color-safe products to protect your hair from being over-processed. On top of all that, you’re going to want a really good color-depositing conditioner to keep it fresh between appointments to the salon. The good news, is when you finally do get it all done and it’s freshly toned, your hair will look alive!
#12 Mid-Length Brunette Waves with Subtle Highlights
A good stylist knows how to create a style that does not say too much or too little. This is that style. The warm brunette base with highlights added creates more of a natural dimension than an obvious placement. What looks like mid-length waves is really just good layering that gives the effortless look. There’s a difference between looking like you have great hair and a great haircut and this is that style. This sort of color absorbs greys quietly, so if you have started to see some this is the shade for you. This is the type of hairstyle that allows you do look polished at the office and relaxed on the weekend without having to do any changes.
#13 Elegant Raven-Black Bob with Wispy Bangs
I’ve noticed some stylists recommend against pure black hair for clients of a certain age. I think that’s a mistake. For the right person, it can be an incredibly sophisticated look. The bob is chin length, so not a crazy amount of length, and it is super clean but not over the top. There is also a great balance with the skin tone. If you are afraid of putting in the work, keeping the hair this black is certainly something to consider. If you have grays, you’ll need to touch up the roots every 3-4 weeks, because they will be extremely noticeable. If that sounds like maintenance you’d like to skip, you can achieve a very similar look by going for a dark espresso color.
#14 Sleek Espresso-Tinted Bob with Feathered Ends
The feathered ends on this bob make it sophisticated rather than just ordinary. There is a blunt cut line at the bottom of this cut; the ends are cut into soft, wispy pieces which give this style a lightness overall that thick hair really needs. The espresso color is rich and glossy, with an appealing deep hue that looks almost luxurious for unexplainable reasons. I’d suggest that if you are getting this style that sleeping in a satin pillow case is to prevent frizz, along with the fact that the upkeep needed to maintain that smooth, light reflecting surface is also half the look. The cut is structured in such a way that it looks best when it is sleek, so if you are in a humid environment make sure to add some frizz control to your look.
#15 Brunette Tousled Waves with Glossy Finish
I value the stylist’s employment of a high gloss finish; it probably does about 60% of the work. The mocha brunette shade is bright enough to provide a healthy and expensive overall look to the hair. That’s what most people want, whether they say it or not. The waves look natural enough to have been done carelessly but also deliberate enough to not have been done carelessly. If your thick hair is prone to frizz, you’ll need to apply a lightweight serum to damp hair before styling because the gloss disappears with humidity. The gloss will not control the frizz, and the waves will go limp. The layering throughout the interior keeps the bulk in check while maintaining everything visible, and that is the detail that sets apart average cuts from ones that look good the first day and continue to look good for years.
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